Apple unveils new iPads, retina iMac, releases Yosemite [Update]

Apple on Thursday unveiled its latest line of products, including thinner tablets and a new iMac with a higher resolution display. Here’s a rundown of the products.

New iPads

The Cupertino-based company launched its second generation iPad Air, which is now thinner than a pencil. Called the iPad Air 2, the tablet is 6.1 millimeters thick, 18 percent thinner than the first iPad Air. Other features include a better camera that takes slow-motion video and burst photos. The iPad Air 2 starts at $499 with 16 GB for the wireless version and comes in silver, space gray and gold.

The iPad Air 2 will also have Touch ID, a feature that lets users unlock their device and authorize purchases with their fingerprint. The iPad Air 2 will also work with Apple’s payment system, Apple Pay, for online purchases. Preorders begin tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the new iPad mini 3 starts at $399 for 16 GB, for the wireless version.

The company also said it is reducing the price on its other iPads. The iPad mini 2 now starts at $299 and the first generation iPad Air, now starts at $399 for the wireless versions.

New iMac with retina 5K display

Apple also touted a new iMac desktop with a higher resolution, 27-inch screen that has 14.7 million pixels. The screen is 5 millimeters thick, and has 67 percent more pixels than 4K, the company said. That computer sells for $2,499.

Yosemite operating system

Apple said customers can download Yosemite for free today. The operating system allows more interconnectivity between Apple devices. For example, users can make a phone call via their Mac computers. Apple showed a demo of this by calling late night talk show host Stephen Colbert, who wanted to become Apple’s “intergalactic chancellor.”

“This incredible line of products and the ecosystem that supports them is something only Apple can create,” said Apple’s CEO Tim Cook at the event.

Original post:

Apple has another press event at noon CDT today, and this time the company is expected to announce updates to its iPad line of tablets. That’s almost a sure bet, particularly after the company “accidentally” posted pages from its upcoming iOS 8.1 online manual, showing the layout of the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 on Wednesday.

And, strangely enough, that leak came just as Google was touting its new Android Lollipop 5.0 operating system, Nexus 6 smartphone, Nexus 9 tablet and Nexus Player streaming TV device.

The new iPads are expected to have faster processors – likely the same as the A8 chip in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus – and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

You can also expect to see new software, with the announcement of imminent release dates for OS X 10.10 Yosemite and iOS 8.1. The latter will enable the Apple Pay transaction system on new iPhones and possibly the new iPads. Yosemite could be released as early as today, with iOS 8.1 coming closer to the start of sales of the new iPads.

Wendy Lee of our sister paper, the San Francisco Chronicle, will be at the event and will liveblog it. You can follow along below. In addition, Apple will livestream the event here on the Web, and will also be viewable on Apple TV. (As usual, you’ll need to use Safari on a Mac or an iOS device in order to watch the livestream.)

Apple CEO Steve Jobs shows off the first iPad during an event in San Francisco in January 2010.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs shows off the first iPad during an event in San Francisco in January 2010.

Photo: Associated Press

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The iPad 1 was announced Jan. 27, 2010.

The iPad 1 was announced Jan. 27, 2010.

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The iPad 2 was launched March 11, 2011.

The iPad 2 was launched March 11, 2011.

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The iPad 3 was launched March 16, 2012

The iPad 3 was launched March 16, 2012

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The original iPad mini was launched Oct. 23, 2012.

The original iPad mini was launched Oct. 23, 2012.

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The fourth-generation iPad was launched Oct. 23, 2012.

The fourth-generation iPad was launched Oct. 23, 2012.

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The iPad mini with Retina display was launched Oct. 22, 2013.

The iPad mini with Retina display was launched Oct. 22, 2013.

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The iPad Air was launched Oct. 22, 2013.

The iPad Air was launched Oct. 22, 2013.

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The Apple Inc. iPad mini is seen in this undated handout photo released to the media on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012. The device boasts a 7.9-inch screen diagonally, compared with the 9.7-inch screen of the current iPad. Source: Apple Inc. via Bloomberg less

The Apple Inc. iPad mini is seen in this undated handout photo released to the media on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012. The device boasts a 7.9-inch screen diagonally, compared with the 9.7-inch screen of the current ... more

Photo: Bloomberg

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Greg Roberts, 64, gets a first look at the new iPad 3 at the Highland Village Apple Store during its grand opening Friday, March 16, 2012, in Houston.

Greg Roberts, 64, gets a first look at the new iPad 3 at the Highland Village Apple Store during its grand opening Friday, March 16, 2012, in Houston.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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An Apple employee holds up the new iPad Air on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. Apple unveiled a new, thinner, lighter tablet called the "iPad Air" along with a slew of new Macs Tuesday at an event in San Francisco. The iPad Air weighs just 1 pound, compared with 1.4 pounds for the previous version. less

An Apple employee holds up the new iPad Air on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. Apple unveiled a new, thinner, lighter tablet called the "iPad Air" along with a slew of new Macs Tuesday at an event in ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Apple's newly introduced 4th generation iPads are seen during Apple's special event at the California Theatre in San Jose on October 23, 2012 in California. Apple unveiled a smaller version of its hot-selling iPad on Tuesday, jumping into the market for smaller tablet computers dominated by Amazon, Google, and Samsung. The iPad mini's touchscreen measures 7.9 inches (20cm) diagonally compared to 9.7 inches(24.6cm) on the original iPad. less

Apple's newly introduced 4th generation iPads are seen during Apple's special event at the California Theatre in San Jose on October 23, 2012 in California. Apple unveiled a smaller version of its hot-selling ... more